Staff Reports

GAYLESVILLE – In a crucial Class 1A, Region 8 football game to keep playoff hopes alive, the Ragland Purple Devils pulled away for a 41-20 victory at Gaylesville on Friday night.

The Trojans (3-5, 1-4) took an early 8-0 advantage with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter, but Ragland battled back to tie the game later in the first and took a 14-8 advantage at halftime on an interception return for a touchdown.

The Purple Devils (3-5, 2-3) extended their lead to 28-8 in the third quarter before the Trojans attempted a comeback with a touchdown to make it 28-14 with just 29 seconds elapsed in the fourth quarter, Ragland countered with another score two minutes later to make it a 35-14 game.

Gaylesville scored its final touchdown with 7:17 to go, and Ragland added a late scor

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